Turn an Old Candle Into a New One for Next to Nothing

Sarah Essex
Updated

You know those nubs you’re left with when you’ve burned a candle - the little discs at the bottom of the glass or leftovers from a candle who’s wick just wilted. Well, don’t throw them away! You can recycle that wax into beautiful wax votives holders and give your old candles new life.

Materials:

  • Left over candle wax (broken into bits)

  • Balloons

  • Wax paper

  • Cookie sheet or flat tray

Tools:

  • Small pot

  • Small metal bowl

  • Scissor

Instructions:

1. Fill the balloons with water - keep them the size of a tennis ball and set them aside.

2. Place a sheet of wax paper on a flat tray or cookie sheet.

3. Place a small metal bowl on top of a pot of simmering water as a ‘double boiler’.

4. Place the candle wax in the bowl and melt it.

5. Dip the water balloon into the melted wax (extremely important not to dip deeper than the water line as the balloon will explode).  Dip in a series of ‘3 dips’ about 10 times - letting the balloon cool on wax paper in between.  This will also give the finished votive a flat bottom to sit on.

6. When cool, cut the top off the water balloon and let the water out, then gently pull away the balloon.

The balloon should come away easily.

Hint: If you want the natural edge of the votive, you’re done! If you want it to be perfect and flat just rub the votive, upside down, over a warm cookie sheet.

Just beautiful…

The method is simple and all you need is a balloon to make it happen. So, you’re creating little works of art for next to nothing, and recycling at the same time - not bad.

Related on Yahoo Makers: Hardware Store Candle Hack

When your holders are finished and ready for a candle, be sure to avoid those little metal tea lights. The heat of the metal will, of course, melt the wax. Instead, opt for an LED light, glass tea light or plain wax tea light.

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